It has been a tumultuous year in South African politics, but we end it in slightly better shape than we started it – with a dangerous president increasingly running out of road, writes Arthur Christopher.

Ralepelle and Basson cleared

Springboks Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson can return to playing rugby immediately, after a Judicial Committee found “no fault” on their part for positive tests for a banned stimulant, the SA Rugby Union (Saru) announced today.

Ralepelle and Basson were charged under anti-doping regulations after they tested positive for methylhexaneamine following the Springbok Test against Ireland in Dublin on November 6.

The players were provisionally suspended from all rugby activities as a result and had to return home from the tour.

Basson and Ralepelle attended the hearing in Cape Town on Tuesday after their B sample also tested positive.

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